Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Of course it can, but how bad is it really. So bad the Mariners make the back page of the Wall Street Journal. With the awesome headline "It's Been a Futile Run for the Seattle Mariners". In the first 14 games in July, they are averaging 1.86 runs per game. If that does not change, they will have the 6th worst run average month in the history of baseball. That is over 100+ years of baseball. That is how bad baseball, or at least hitting, is in Seattle.

Who is worse than the Mariners? Taking the lead spot are the 1963 Houston Colt .45s with an average of 1.55 runs for June of that year. Here is the article if you can spare 45 seconds of laughter.

With the looming trade deadline, the Mariners will not be sellers nor buyers. Right now, we are just looking for respect. There has been talk of Prince Fielder, not a chance, at least in July. Perhaps Jack Z can work some magic in the offseason to bring a strong left handed bat to the lineup. Of course, you will also have to protect him in the batting order or we still won't see decent run production. I am not sure of others in the mix. Alex Gordon is finally living up to his prospect hype, but we are trying our hand with a rookie in the hot corner in Kyle Seager. He has yet to make any impact on the majors, unlike Ackley who is at least trying to produce.

Pitching is a completely other story. Pineda has done well (however he faltered against the Jay earlier tonight). Felix is pitching well, but not like his Cy Young year. Bedard has been a mild surprise, as well as Fister and Vargas. They are bending, but are about to break. I am not sure how long the pitchers will put up with the lack of support at the plate.

As of tonight, we are on a 10 game losing streak. I don't have the answer. Poor base running and relaxing in the field led to the Jays come from behind victory. We really need to pull our heads out. If the A's can win, why can't we?

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

There is a lot of talk about snubs from the All-Star game. Many mention C.C Sabathia as a pitcher who was snubbed. Don't get me wrong, I think CC is a good pitcher, but don't tell me the fans only pick players based on popularity. So do the managers.

Micheal Pineda has better stats, not necessary win/loss, than 3 member of the pitching staff of the AL next Tuesday. That would also include his teammate Felix Hernandez. In fact, Felix is statistically the fourth best stater on the Mariners, but that is a topic for another day.

Here are Michael's stats. He is 8-5 with an 2.58 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a .193 AVG.

Three players in the all star game: C.J. Wilson, Felix Hernandez and David Price. C.J. Wilson stats are as follows: 8-3 with an 3.02 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP and a .243 AVG. Felix stats are as follows: 8-7 with an 3.47 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and a .252 AVG. David Price stats: 8-7 with a 3.56 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and a .229 AVG. Throwing in CC, since being a Yankee apparently gives the fans a right to gripe. 12-4 with a 2.90 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and a .248 Avg. Wilson is in because his manager is the AL manager, Felix is in because of his name and so is Price.

Pineda, outside of CC's record. blows away 3 plays in the game and 1 player who is getting a lot of "snub" attention. If we sort by stats, Pineda is the 6th best pitching in the AL with regards to ERA. He is the third best pitcher with AVG, eight in WHIP, and tenth in K's. I know a lot of fans see this game as worthless, but watching a rookie phnom could help make this game interesting.

Felix and CC both pitch on Sunday which makes them ineligible for the active roster for the all-star game. I don't necessary want Pineda to pitch, but I do want to see him to be recognized during the team announcements.